Little League experience can’t be measured in wins

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2:58 PM Thursday, September 2, 2010

One win, two losses doesn’t sound very productive.

That was the Hamilton West Side All-Stars’ record in this year’s Little League World Series that concluded last week in South Williamsport, Pa.

But if you look beyond the numbers — which, unfortunately, we too often forget in youth sports — the trip from Hamilton to Pennsylvania was a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment for the players.

Consider that only eight Little League teams from the United States and eight International teams qualified for the World Series.

The Hamilton squad, which won the state tournament as 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds, becoming the only team in Ohio history to pull off the trifecta, won its opening game, 16-6, over Toms River, N.J.

But Hamilton lost to Columbus, Ga., 6-0, in the second round and was eliminated by Waipahu, Hawaii, 6-4.

But some of their most memorable moments probably happened away from the diamond and out of sight of the ESPN cameras.

After the team was eliminated, it traveled to a minor league park, and the players were overwhelmed when several fans — sitting under a tent — applauded their effort. The boys tipped their hats.

The players also enjoyed the tournament parade that was attended by more than 40,000 spectators. Does it get any better for a 12-year-old boy than standing on a float in your baseball uniform and tossing candy to the cute girls in the crowd?

Also, imagine being their age and spending 11 days in dorms, isolated from your parents.

This Little League World Series also was about the Hamilton coaches and parents. The Hamilton team was led by head coach Kenny Coomer and assistant coach Tim Nichting, who, amazingly, didn’t have a son on the team. That’s unselfish dedication.

And think about the time and effort put forth by the players’ parents, who made tremendous sacrifices the last few years.

While Hamilton West Side didn’t return with a championship, they have enough memories to fill any trophy case.

As Ryan Hannah, Tyler Hannah’s father, said after the tourney: “It’ll be interesting to watch them grow up and progress in life and see what becomes of them. I think they’re all going to go in a great direction.”

And, really, isn’t that more important than wins and losses?

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